Institute of Biomedical Sciences

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) is the professional body for biomedical scientists in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1912 as the Pathological and Bacteriological Laboratory Assistants' Association, later became the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology in 1942, and adopted its current name in 1994. IBMS represents around 20,000 members, mostly employed in the National Health Service, the UK Health Security Agency, and private healthcare laboratories, as well as veterinary laboratories and research bodies. Its aims are to promote and develop biomedical science and its practitioners. The institute sets standards of practice, represents biomedical science to government and universities, accredits degree courses, and assesses qualifications for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. It publishes the British Journal of Biomedical Science and The Biomedical Scientist magazine. Through a licence from the Science Council, IBMS awards the designations Chartered Scientist, Registered Scientist, and Registered Science Technician. The organisation operates through 11 regions and branches across the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, Cyprus, and Gibraltar, supporting local biomedical scientists and organising scientific and professional events, including a biennial Congress.